Mushroom Estate

Category: Military Architecture > Castle

District: Évora > Évora > Torre de Coelheiros > Morgado da Torre

Location

The Solar dos Cogominhos, often referred to as Paço dos Cogominhos or Torre de Coelheiros, stands in the Alentejo village of Torre de Coelheiros, in the municipality of Évora. It is situated atop a small hill, at approximately 262 meters of altitude, offering a dominant visual setting over the settlement. Its strategic position allows for wide panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, including distant localities such as Terena, Alandroal, Monsaraz, and Portel, and the Ossa and Morena mountain ranges. Integrated into the Morgado da Torre urbanization, the manor house is located at the northern end of the village, clearly visible and enclosed by a walled perimeter that includes a small garden.

A Medieval Legacy in Alentejo

This remarkable manor building, which gave its name to the locality itself, has its roots in the Cogominho family, a prominent figure in Évora. Its oldest construction, the tower, dates back to the 14th century, being one of the earliest examples of tower-houses in the Alentejo region. It is conjectured that the tower was erected around 1395. Originally conceived as a domus-fortis, the manor combined residential function with elements of military architecture, a type of building whose construction depended on royal authorization during the reigns of D. Afonso III and D. Dinis. It represented a mark of possession and power over the surrounding lordly territory, to which a modern-era manor house with its imposing exterior staircase was later juxtaposed.

Architecture and Structure

The Solar dos Cogominhos stands out for its square-plan tower, approximately fifteen meters high and distributed over four floors. At its top, it features pyramidal merlons and loopholes, characteristic elements of fortification. On its facades, one can observe pointed arch openings, windows with straight chamfered lintels, and vertical slits, with a balcony adorned with corbels and machicolations on the east-southeast facade. Adjoining the tower is a horizontal two-story volume, built between the 17th and 18th centuries. This modern body incorporates a double exterior staircase leading to the upper floor and features successive windows with granite frames in a segmental arch. The ensemble is topped by a hipped roof with a unique cylindrical chimney with a dome, lending it a distinctive aesthetic in the Alentejo panorama.

Protected Heritage

Recognized for its historical and architectural value, the Solar dos Cogominhos has been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1957. This distinction underscores the importance of its preservation for the memory and identity of the region. Over the decades, the building has undergone various reconstruction and restoration interventions, with the aim of ensuring the maintenance of its structure and highlighting its original characteristics. These actions have allowed this municipal heritage to remain a lasting testament to the history and architectural evolution of Alentejo.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt